Unless You Repent

My Bible is over today to Luke chapter 13, I would encourage you to turn your copy of God's word as well, as we shall consider another message on how we should respond to the coronavirus and two other tragedies.

The message that I brought to you on Wednesday night. Along those lines seem to be particularly helpful to many of you, and I thank you for the response that has come back in week are very encouraged with come to understand that we had more people with us on Wednesday night by Internet than we normally have in our Wednesday night service and that is certainly encouraging and I suspect that the same thing is also true. Again here this morning. But on Wednesday night.

I addressed this problem of the coronavirus and how we ought to respond to it in the course of that message I touched lightly upon this text in Luke chapter 13, my mind was directed back to that for this morning's meditation so laying aside for the time being our series and second Corinthians which we will Lord willing return to it the proper time we want to look at this text to see how to respond to tragedies such as the coronavirus and other tragedies that we've had in our nation, such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina and wildfires in California and of course in other countries as well in Australia. Tragedies in many other places. How should we respond to those these tragedies usually come suddenly and on expectedly, and we are generally unprepared fact even if we try to be prepared. We can't be totally prepared because we don't know exactly what form that new event will take, which will never be exactly like one that has gone before and so these kinds of things cause disruption and uncertainty, and for most people fear and for many there are serious consequences more serious for some than for others, but in the case of Simon brings ruin economically in debilitation and even death. And in all of these things we see the normal political posturing the finger pointing the blame shifting. It's always the other party's fault. The other other officials fault somebody else's fault. And we also see the over reaction and panic by some as alarmists are are trying to arouse greater concern than perhaps is justified but instead the same fashion we see others who are minimizing and denying what is going on and say it is simply media hype and that sort of thing which obviously also is greatly underestimating the truth of the situation, but the question is not how do our politicians respond. How does the media respond how to people on the Internet. Respond. The question is, how should we respond in the only way that we can know the answer to that question is from God Almighty. The only way we can know his answer to that question is through the Bible. His word is revelation that he is given to us. So let us learn from the Lord Jesus Christ. How we ought to respond to tragedies like this and we read in Luke chapter 13 there were present at that season. Some who told him that in Jesus about the Galilean whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices and Jesus answered and said to them, do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things I tell you no, but unless you repent you will all likewise perish or those 18, on whom the tower in silo and fell and killed them. Do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem I tell you no, but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. He also spoke this parable, a certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none that he said to the keeper of his vineyard look for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none cutting down. Why does it use up the ground but he answered and said to him, sir, let alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it and if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down, but we have before us in this passage we have to tragedies considered in verses one through five. We have one truth illustrated in verses six through nine. First of all to tragedies considered in the first part of this passage. The first recorded in verses one, two and three and the second in verses four and five, the first speaks of a shocking report that came to Jesus, reported by some who were in the audience of Jesus as he was speaking to the general multitudes at this time and they reported to him what is evidently a very current event that appears to be unknown to most of the people at that time. Evidently you just happened, and of course there was no radio or television or Internet and self news traveled more slowly by word-of-mouth actually in that day rather than any other means. And so, some were aware of this event and others did not yet know about it, but it was an occasion when a number of Galileans were slaughtered by Pilate, the Roman governor was responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus, slaughtered by Pilate in the very act of their worshiping of the temple. That's what they told us they told him we read in verse one about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifice Galileans.

Jesus of course was a Galilean.

The apostles of Christ were Galileans but as we know from the New Testament Galileans were generally considered less righteous than the Judeans, at least by the Judeans. They were so considered those who were from Judea around Jerusalem are considered to be more observant of all of the laws and customs and regulations of Moses, they were certainly closer to the temple and able to worship there more often.

The Galileans further away were considered to be not quite so dedicated, committed, observant as the Judeans didn't get to the temple quite as often, and therefore were not considered by them to be as righteous as the Judeans's but there were a number of Galileans were slaughtered by Jesus at the temple in the very act of offering their animal sacrifices to God. The number that were slaughtered is not known, but it could have been a great many Josephus, the Jewish historian, records a number of times when this type of event occurred, a number of similar slaughters and all of them had to do with political insurrections at various times when different Jews got together and tried to foment a a rebellion against the Roman government.

And that's the thing that would bring down this kind of reprisal and probably only thing that could bring such a severe penalty in an occasion like that. The Roman response was swift and certain and brutal, and so Pilate, assuming that this is exactly what happened. Pilate brought down the soldiers from the 4% told you right there at the temple and slaughtered a could have been hundreds of Galileans in the act of worshiping, but it was really an act of insurrection. No doubt in the temple and thus this is reported to Jesus a shocking report in verse one, but that is followed by a searching question in verse two. A rhetorical question Jesus answered and said to them, do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such thing. Do you think that these Galileans were notable center. Do you think that this tragedy is retribution for exceeding seven in a day on my dad when the sin was acknowledged and taken seriously in Jewish society as it once was an American society.

Though by great portions of American society today is not taken very seriously. But nevertheless, the attitude really is not that different, as we shall notice, but Christ is pointing out a common reaction to tragedies like this.

Basically he says do you suppose that they deserved what they got. Do you suppose that they were worse sinners than others. You suppose that this came to them because they had crossed the line in the extent of their sinfulness and that something similar has not happened to you because you are not as bad sinners as they are, therefore, don't deserve this. I say that's a common reaction certainly among the religious certainly among Christians if we will be honest with our own heart will recognize that there have been times when we have entertained thoughts like that. I wonder how many of you taking note of the fact that the greatest greatest inroads of the coronavirus are in New York City and California New York City reports nearly half of all of the. The documented cases in the United States and more deaths by far than any other place hundreds of deaths more New York City than anyplace else but California also very hard to get and what do we know about New York City and California but their reputation for debauchery, lasciviousness, immorality, disregard for God, it would be very tempting for us to think they are getting the worst of it because they deserve it and it was very easy for the Judeans in Christ's audience at this time to be thinking these Galileans who aren't as righteous as Judeans.

They were slaughtered by Pilate because they deserve to be and even among those who are not particularly religious.

We hear similar sentiment we hear is I heard reported recently on the news by someone from the left that probably more conservatives are going to die from this.

Then liberals because they're not taking it as seriously. The implication being, and they deserve it. Someone who said they hoped that the president's wife would get the virus so presumably she would pass it on to the president because of course in their minds they deserve it. Similar sentiment even among those who are not religious, and don't like to talk about sin, but nevertheless the same common attitude. The same common wrong attitude. According to Jesus, and he answers his own question because he's the only one who can provide the right answer.

The question is do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things I tell you no, but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. No solemn declaration.

I tell you no, no, they did not perish because they were excessively sinful. Christ is not saying please understand that they were not sinners or that they were not sinful. He simply saying that they were not more sinful than those who are reporting it, and who are entertaining these thoughts of superiority, nor is Christ saying that this tragedy is not related to sin in any way. Jesus didn't say that the slaughter did not fall upon them because they were sinners. He said it didn't fall upon them because they are sinfulness exceeded your that they were no more sinful than those who were spare in the morning is unless you repent you will likewise perish.

So the implications of this first reported tragedy are very clear. These Galileans were sinners, as all men are sinners, but they were not excessively so they were not any greater sinners in the Judeans. Furthermore, the implication is they did not repent they were involved in worship. They were religious people they work really involved in worship, but the implication is that it was hypocritical worship.

It was ceremonial worship. It was external worship. They were going through the motions.

They were as we might say today attending church sitting on the pews, singing the songs, but their hearts were far from God, and they were no doubt involved at that very time and an act of ungodly insurrection. The implication is that they suffered adjusted judgment. Jesus is not saying that they didn't deserve to be judged. He doesn't say that of the.

They suffered a just judgment because they were sinners. The implication is that you who are spared. In fact, this is more than implication. It's very clear that you who are spared, however, are equally sinful. You're not to think of yourselves as less sinful than those who perished and therefore unless you repent you will likewise perish. They did not repent they perished. If you don't repent you will perish. Your judgment hasn't come yet but it will come unless you repent.

That's the first tragedy, but there's a second one that similar with minor differences. Verse four.

Jesus goes on to make a report of his own now, not so much report, which remind them of a historical event that all of them were aware of and so he goes on in verse four or those 18, on whom the tower in silo and fell and killed them. Do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem until you know unless you repent you will all likewise perish to events to underscore the lesson the Christ is making two events similar responses to very different tragedies, but they show common pattern of thinking and if Kahneman defect in our in our behavior and our relationship to God. The first line in a political availment day slaughter by the governor of people in the very act of worship. The other one. Some workmen, presumably working the way honorably, honestly earning a living for their family and the tower of silo fell upon them and killed them.

They were 18 and number. The Bible doesn't specify where their origin was but since it doesn't specify it. They probably were Judeans. The fact that Galileans died in Jerusalem and the Temple requires special note, these were not Judeans. These were Galileans but that the tower silo fell in Jerusalem, collapsing and killing those who were around it. Presumably, those working on it. We can assume, with a pretty high degree of certainty that these were Judeans, not a political offense, but another tragic event, not Galileans considered to be less righteous by the Judeans than the Judeans work but Judeans upon whom the tower fail without seeming explanation and killed them. What's the answer to that will Jesus pinpoints the common thought.

Do you suppose you suppose that they were greater sinners that other man in Jerusalem is that what you're thinking that God must've somehow known that they were more sinful, further than others, and so he caused this tower to fall upon them. That's a common reaction and as Christ tells us a common misconception, a very bad misconception.

So he comes back with the very same warning that he gave in the report of the first tragedy, if that's what you think you're wrong.

No, that's not the explanation. I tell you know they were not more sinful than others in Jerusalem. And unless you repent you will likewise perish.

Same implications they were sinners do not.

More sinners more greatly sinners than their neighbors.

The judgment that came to them was not undeserved, for they were sinful and unrepentant at the time, but no more so than you that Jesus is talking to or you that I'm talking to today, by extension, but the message is the same unless you use not Galileans it's too late for them.

You not those upon whom the tower of silo fell it's too late for them, but unless you repent you will likewise perish perish in time and perish for eternity. All of us. Of course, will come to death. At some point in his life. But the question is what about beyond the grave. What about beyond death and the answer is the same unless you repent you will perish to tragedies considered followed by one truth illustrated in the parable of the fig tree. In verses six through nine. I'll read it again, a certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none that he said to the keeper of the vineyard look for three years I've come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none.

Cut it down. Why does it use up the ground but he answered and said to him, sir, let alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it and if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down. One truth illustrated and it's the same truth that was followed in the first examination of the two tragedies. The exhortation, the need for repentance both in act and attitude that is there needs to be an initial act of genuine repentance before God to recognize our sinfulness and our need of cleansing by God. And then there needs to be an ongoing attitude of repentance like lifelong humility that is continually repenting before God, the parable of the fig tree the barren fig tree shows us something about this, an un-fruitful fig tree is introduced to the parable in verse six in the vineyard in the court of the vineyard. At least I'm told that was a common occurrence of that day in order not to waste any of the possible production of the vineyard. Oftentimes a fig tree or something like that would be planted in the corners so that so that every possible usable fertile space could be utilized in this fig tree had been there long enough to bear fruit in fact the years of its fruitfulness were ticking by the first year for fruit born on the second year of expected to fruit born on the third year of expected fruit for none and so the owner of the vineyard proposes a very sensible solution. After giving it time to time and more time than the usual and no fruit is forthcoming, then cut it down. Get rid of it put something else in its place. Don't let it take up space that could be utilized for some other plants some other tree that would be fruitful but the keeper of the vineyard made a note respectful appeal. Please, please, just give it one more chance, please give it one more year.

I will work extra hard with this tree I will be careful to to cultivate it a lot. I will dig around it regularly.

I will give it fertilizer. Please let's give it one more year and then if it bears fruit well and good will all be happy that it's doing what it's supposed to do but if it doesn't, after that special attention if it bears fruit. Let it live but if not, proceed on with the deserved destruction merciful concession.

How do we apply this parable. First of all it needs to be applied to the nation of Israel, which is no doubt the main application, the Christ had in mind as he spoke these words in his day the vineyard was a well-known figure for Israel, God's vineyard.

And yet this is the fig tree in the corner of the vague vineyard, but I think should represent Israel not being what it ought to be not a grapevine but a fig tree, but nevertheless, in the vineyard that belongs to the owner that represents God and given many opportunities by God but no fruit is forthcoming.

So find the time has come for judgment. The time for the nation of Israel is, they were given many opportunities to bear fruit, and none was forthcoming but God is reluctant to judge.

That's one of the lessons of this parable, God is not eager to do so and so he is happy when this appeal is made to extend time that there may yet be a change of heart and only if, after one more opportunity on top of many other opportunities and innumerable opportunities of the gracious God have been extended and have been rejected.

Only then will the time of judgment. Finally, it must, inevitably, at some time. If there is no repentance. Because, of course, repentance must predicate fruitfulness virtually the same thing applies in principle to the United States of America. America's not Israel but the general principles of God's dealings with man certainly apply has a been another nation in modern times it's had more advantages and opportunities in this nation more blessings, more richness of heritage in favor than this country and I think there was the time in our earlier history when we could see at least some fruit was being born to the one who extended such opportunities to us, but it seems that that time is quickly fading and we see fewer and fewer people in America. Fewer and fewer segments of American society who are even willing to knowledge the one who gave us such wonderful opportunities, much less bear fruit spiritual fruit to him.

And yet we can take encouragement in the fact that as the parable teaches God as a reluctant judge is not eager to bring down judgment.

He is just he is a righteous judgment must fall for unrepentant sin, but God is reluctant to do that and so he gives many opportunities for repentance were a change of heart. But if no repentance is forthcoming. What should we expect judgment will come.

What is true is real and what is true of America's nations is also true of individuals true of you and of me. We have been given much by our create torque. We have been given life we have been given many opportunities many opportunities to hear the word of God many opportunities to believe it and respond to it into yield fruit to our create torque and to Jesus Christ, our Redeemer if we have trusted in him. God is patient and long-suffering.

He's not eager to rain down judgment, but he will. Unless you repent you will all likewise perish. The principles are the same as so many lessons from this parable.

I don't know if we can get them all in the main lesson obviously is the need for repentance. As I said both an initial act of repentance that great turning point in one's life. When he turns from sin turns to Christ when he acknowledges his need of Christ and turns to him in faith for cleansing and forgiveness, but that an attitude of ongoing repentance throughout the remainder of life, but we learned so many things in this parable. For example, we learn the truthfulness of our own sinful hearts even redeem sinful hearts and the inclination to assign blame tragedies. We sometimes think are evidence of deserved judgment as I was riding home yesterday I was listening to NPR National Public Radio. They were talking about an event I think a great hurricane and flood that happened in Louisiana and particularly struck an island off the coast of Louisiana. This goes back may be nearly 200 years ago and that island was a a favorite vacation spot of wealthy people and slaveowners, many of them were gathered there at the time of this tragedy and every one of them lost their lives and the only one who escape as a slave who managed to live in the implications were just hanging thick in the air.

Those those rich slave owners deserve the judgment they got. Look how they perish. Look how the slave lived, yes, even those who are not particularly religious, have similar sentiments yes are inclination to assign blame to others seldom to ourselves are inclination to judge others severely and ourselves favorably. Jesus talked about that with the mote in the beam remember how easily we can see that Tina inspected our brother's eye, and how difficult it is for us to see the beam the log in our own minds a human failing is that it comes out so clearly in times like this.

We learned in this passage in Luke the neat need to deal with our own sin unless you repent.

Unless I repent. Our business is not somebody else's sins look at house great sinners. They work God allowed Pilate to take care of them. Look at how great sinners. They work God allow that tower to take care of them. Banish those thoughts from your mind and focus on yourself in your own heart of greatest center.

I am Lord, I need cleansing I need to repent. I know some husbands and wives who have terrible marriage problems for that very reason. As far as he's concerned it's all her fault. As far as she's concerned it's all his fault, and each one is blaming the other and refusing to look at their own part if they could just hear the words of Christ in reverse that I'm not going to concern myself with the other person there, but if that's between them and God let them deal. The God deal with them. I'm going to deal with myself.

I'm going to focus on my part. I'm going to look for my failings.

I'm going to correct them before God. I'm going to repent. I'm going to become the husband-wife God wants me to DO what a change that would bring two marriages into all kinds of human relationships because the certainly isn't exclusive to marriage, we need to deal with our own sins. This passage also teaches us about the suddenness of judgment and how when it comes we are generally unprepared. That's part of the finger-pointing is that the blame your fault because you push should of been repaired prepared.

You should've prepared this country you should have taken action sooner knowledge that previous administrations fault. That's why were not as prepared as we ought to be in back-and-forth that goes and so forth with the political wrangling. But the truth of the matter is, we can never be fully prepared because we are not God. We do not know the future. We don't know what form a tragedy will come will take and it's impossible for any person. It's probably impossible for any society, it's impossible for any nation to be prepared for anything and everything that could happen, so this be reasonable. That's impossible. We have to respond over certain preparations we can take but the only thing we can reasonably do is respond as quickly as possible.

When things happen because we don't know before then when they will happen.

But you see, Jesus says that's the way judgment. It falls quickly and falls unexpectedly, my dear friends, there's a judgment coming that will be the final one, beyond which there will be no opportunity for repentance or change of fruitfulness when it comes it's going to fall quickly unless you're prepared before it falls it will be too late when it falls is a great day coming is a great day coming is a great day coming by-and-by when the saint in the center will be parted right and left. Are you ready for that day to come. Yes, we need to prepare for greater judgments to come. No one knows there may be greater tragedies coming to our nation than we have experienced thus far.

Only God knows that we shouldn't be surprised if that be true. We shouldn't be surprised if it happens as if it shouldn't happen.

The history of tragedies tells us that they will happen. We should not be surprised, but the one we better be ready for is the final one are you ready for that day to come.

That's why we need to be in a state of readiness. That's why we need to be repentant. That's why we need to be believing. That's why we need to be trusting the Lord Jesus Christ. That's why we need to be living every day for the Lord Jesus Christ, so that whenever that day comes, our lamps are burning were were not caught short unprepared without any oil without any preparedness for that day to come when it comes, will come suddenly. So the great lessons out of this passage of Scripture that we need to examine our own hearts and deal with our own sins. That's where it begins. That's where it must begin then beyond that, to minister to others for Jesus sake. As Jesus would was reading again the other day that account of Jesus and the woman taken in adultery, in John chapter 8 the first 11 verses one instructive account is a woman who was sinful exceedingly sinful, a publicly known adulterous caught in the very act and brought to Jesus and they demanded of Jesus. What to do most of said stoner.

What do you say you remember how wisely how incredibly wisely. Jesus handled that situation, stooping down and writing on the ground and eventually whatever was he was writing. The Bible doesn't tell us something caught their attention. After Jesus said he was without sin. Let him cast the first stone and one by one from the oldest of the youngest, they went out they were gone and Jesus looked up and said where are your accusers woman. Now she's going to be stoned. The log required two or three witnesses. Where are they. None. They're all gone.

Everyone where are your accusers the God Lord, neither do I condemn you go your way and sin no more grace, mercy and credible kindness, forgiveness based upon his oath and vicariate vicarious death to come up on the cross and yet righteousness. There is a standard there is a requirement. Don't live this way any longer bear fruit unto your create torch bear fruit unto your Savior live as he would have you live live with the same kind of gracious, kind heart that our Savior displayed minister to others with the same kind, gracious, part that our Savior displayed one of the concerns I have for the present political climate we have in America and it is more divisive than I've ever known. It is that politics tends to make people very angry. No matter which side of the aisle you're on. There's a great deal of anger and I see a great deal of perpetual indignation, it never goes away those on this side are perpetually great and indignant with those on the side that anger never goes away.

But those on this side are perpetually angry and indignant with those on the site.

Their anger never goes away. Now listen to me folks of your Christian I'm not asking you to forget what is right and wrong. I'm not asking you to bend righteousness, but I'm asking you to think about this to think about how our Savior treated this woman who was clearly a notorious sinner. I'm asking you to realize that to carry out the mandates of Scripture you need to carry them out to those that make you quite indignant. In other words's were going to need to swallow our indignation and manifest grace and love and kindness not they are notorious sinners and they deserve whatever they get… Oh dear friend can I help you. Can I feed you if you're hungry.

Can I give you water if you thirsty.

Can I tell you about the bread of life can I tell you about the one who extended mercy to make. I was deserving of condemnation and he graciously extended mercy to me. Let me tell you about him and if you won't let me do that. Just let me serve youth like Jesus would let me serve you, for Jesus sake all that God would give us that heart.

Do you think that these are greater centers that all others know know know oh I tell you no, but unless you have a heart of repentance, you will all likewise perish were not living for ourselves shouldn't be were not living for a political cause upon earth, or shouldn't be were living for the Lord Jesus Christ and were living for an eternal because the kingdom of heaven which rises far above this earth and will live on forever. After all the kingdoms of this earth are God and we are representatives of Christ here upon the earth kingdom agents of his eternal kingdom that kingdom of love, of mercy, of grace, God help us to live that way not to us the glory Lord, not to us favor or reward all all honor and glory goes to him shall we pray heavenly father forgive us for our sinful attitudes. Forgive us for condemning others while justifying ourselves teachers to deal with our own hearts. When a tragedy like the coronavirus hits are nation, O Lord, help us to be kind and generous and thoughtful. Help us not to live in fear apples not to demonstrate the same kind of panic and fear that people who don't know Christ demonstrate help us to demonstrate the love of Christ to others. Help us to help others to see truth and to find the help which you alone. Lord can give. We pray in Jesus name on the if we were singing together in closing, here's what we would sing more secure is no one ever than the loved ones of the Savior not gone start on high abiding, not the bird in home nest hiding God his own death attend and nourish in his holy courts. They flourish from all evil things. He spares them in his loving arms.

He bears them. Neither life nor death shall ever from the Lord. His children sever unto them his grace he shown with in their sorrows. All he know with little flock to joy. Then yield the Jacobs God will ever shield the rest secure in this defender and he is will all foes surrender, though he give authority taketh God, his children near forsaken. Here's the loving purpose solely to preserve them. Your and hopefully may the Lord bless you and keep you.

May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you.

May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace